The LA Dodgers travel from San Francisco, south to San Diego, for the opening of this 3-game weekend set vs. the San Diego Padres. Earlier this season, the Dodgers took 2 of 3 from the Padres at Chavez Ravine. Entering tonight’s matchup, the Dodgers are 9-6. They are closely pursued by the surprising Padres, who have posted a 10-7 mark. It is the opinion of this bureau that the Dodgers will soon separate themselves from the Padres (and all other contenders), as they again figure to dominate the National League West. Respect is given to San Diego and Cashner. But, the history of Greinke in this spot, as you will see, is a determining factor.

Underdogs in tonight's MLB odds, the San Diego Padres were rolling on a 9-2 surge, before losing the last 2 games at Colorado by a single run on Wednesday and Thursday. It is clearly positive that San Diego is on a 37-16 run on this field, including 5-2 this season. In addition, the Padres are a respected 4-2/loss this season. An additional edge for them will be the pitching of tonight’s starter, Cashner. From this mound last season, Cashner posted a 1.43 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 11 starts where the Padres went 8-3. But, he was ripped earlier in a 7-4 loss at the Dodgers, allowing 6 runs on 8 hits in a 7-4 loss in Game 3 of the season.

Much like San Diego, the Dodgers were on a nice roll of 7-0, as they entered a 3-game set at San Francisco earlier this week. With the defending champs on the brink of disaster, following a 4-10 start, the Giants responded with a 3-0 sweep of the Dodgers to pull within 3 games of the division leaders. At the conclusion of that set, the Dodgers were just 1-5 on the road. That’s a far cry from their 49-32 road record of last year, which was the best road record in all of MLB. If the Dodgers expect to be every bit as good as their 94-68 team of 2014, that road record begs for correction. What better game to begin it than with Zach Greinke on the mound. Since arriving in LA, the Dodgers are 43-20 in Greinke starts. But, that is just the tip of the iceberg. This season, Greinke is 2-0 with a 1.83 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. He has allowed just 14 BR, with 14 Ks in 19 2/3 IP. In 8 starts against San Diego, Greinke is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA. That is merely a microcosm of the fact that since joining the Dodgers, Greinke is 20-1 vs. National League West divisional foes.

Lay the short road price for your MLB Picks with division dominator, Greinke, as the Dodgers begin to even their road record and put space between themselves and the rest of the division.